Suction cleaner agitator



D. G. SMELLIE SUCTION CLEANER GITATOR .l 3 9 1 l v. Y o N Filed Nov. 18, 1929 Patented Nov. l, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ICE DONALD G. SMELLIE, OF CANTON, OHIO, ASSI(.'1iNOR-'l0 THE HOOVER COMPANY, A COB- PORATION OF OHIO sUc'r'IoN CLEANER armaron This invention relates to improvements in suction cleaner rotors or agitators and `has for its principal object the provision of a new and improved agitator of light weight which 5 is structurally strong and commercially feasible. A further object is the provision of an agitator for a suction cleaner in which the agitating elements are formed in the surface of the agitator. A still further object is the provision of an agitator in which the sweeping members extend closely adjacent and arallel to the beating elements. Other ob]ects will appear as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawing in which is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which the same reference character identifiesthe same part in the various views:

Figure 1 is a side view of an agitator constructed in accordance with my invention with part of the metallic covering broken away.

Figure 2 is a cross section upon the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

The agitator, indicated by the reference character 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a cylindrical core member 2 of wood or other-similar relatively light, strong and inexpensive material,

so which extends the entire length of the agitator. A portion 3 of core 2 defined by the converging Walls, one of which is indicated hy the reference character 4, near the approximate longitudinal .center thereof, has a rcpulley for thereception of a rotating torque for the agitator. Extending helically around vthe core member 2 from the opposite ends thereof and in opposite directions of angular advance are the brush-receiving grooves 5, 5 which are spaced 180 apart circumferentially. Positioned within the grooves 5, 5 are sweepingl brushes 6, 6 including backs 7, 7 which are held in any suitable manner.

Enclosing and closely surrounding the core member`2 are'metallio sheaths or coverings 8, 8 held in position on the member 1 by retaining lips 9, 9A tightly compressed along the side walls of the helical grooves 5, 5 and by the inner walls 11, 11 swaged adjacent lthe duced diameter and serves as a belt-receiving walls 4, 4 of the pulley 3. At the ends of the i grooves 5, 5 the sides of the individual coverings 8, 8 make line contact as at 10,10.

Formed in each covering 8 are the semicylindrical extrusions12, 12 forming beater elements which extend helically in opposite directions of angular advance from a common end point at each end of the member 1. With the sheet-hs 8, 8 positioned upon the member 2 with the lips 9, 9 against the walls of the grooves 5, 5 the extrusions 12, 12 upon the opposite sides of the pulley 3 are continuous and form, in effect, two beater elements upon the surface of the agitator extending the entire len h thereof, the pulley width being excepte ,y and having common end points.

In the assembled relation of the agitator one` of the beater elements 12 upon each side of the pulley extends parallel to the brush-receiving groove 5 upon that side, said oove being positioned outside of the include angle made by the converging elements 12, 12. Formed at the inner ends of the coverings 8, 8

and extruded a distance equal to beater ele' ment-s 12, 12 are carpet spacer elements 13, 13 extending around the entire circumference of the core 2. The extruded elements 12, 12 and 13, 13 may be formed in any suitable manner before the coverings 8, 8 are placed on the core- 2 after which the inner ends 11, 11 of said coverings may be swaged adjacent the walls 4, 4 of pulley 3 and the lips 9, 9 secured f in place.

Fitted upon the ends of the agitator body i and assisting to maintain the sheaths 8, 8 in` close relation to the core 2 are the metallic caps 14, 14. The caps 14, 14 function further to protect the wooden core 2 at its ends and to. provide means whereby suitable su porting means for the agitator body may e connected.

From the foregoing it is clear that a simple construction has been provided which is light inv weight and economical in manufacturing costs yet which comprises the elements necessary for an efficient rota-r7 suction cleaner agitator. The provision of t e wooden core for the agitator 'makes' possible the construction ofthe enclosing metallic shell of thinner material than would otherwise be bar insures the-sweeping of the surface covering as it recovers from the impact of the beater which results in increased cleaning efficiency and long brush life. The cylindrical spacing elements included in the construction function to revent the surface covering being displace into contact with the rotor body acent the pulley by the lifting eect of the suction wit in the suction nozzle within which the agitator is carried re- 1sulting in a desirable reduction in the power necessary to drive the agitator.

I claim: f.

1. An agitator comprising a cylindrical bod -member having a helical groove therein orming a brush seat a brush positioned therein, inwardly extending walls connected by an uninterrupted surface ,at their bases on said body, forming a pulley, a metallic covering enclrcling said body helical semi-cylindrical extrusions thereon forming beaterI core, a pulley formed between the ends of sald agitator positioned radially within the riphery thereof, and a surface-contacting us carried by said core extended thru said 7 elements extending longitudinally thereof, in-

tegral fastenin means formed in said covering and securing said covering to said body and end caps upon said body.

2. An agitator comprising a cylindrical bod -member having a helical grove theref iny orming a brush seat, a brush positioned therein, a metallic covering encircling said body, oppositely curved helical beater elements on said covering extending longitudinally thereofand fastening means securing said covering to said body.

3. An agitator 'comprising' a cylindrical body having a helical groove therein-forming a brush seat, a brush positioned therein, a metallic covering encircling said body and a helical beater element thereon extending parallel to said groove.

yet. In an agitatorfor suction cleaners, a cylindrical body-member, a helical groove in said body-member forming a brush seat, a brush positioned therein and a metallic covering having a beater element thereon enclosing said body-member.

5. In an agitator for suction cleaners, a body, beater means positioned on said body, a brush carried by said body characterized by the fact that the brush extends parallel to and closely adjacent said beater means.

6. In an agitator for a suction cleaner, a cylindrical body, beater bars thereon extending radiall beyond the surface of said body, a pulley a apted to receive a belt and positioned between the ends of said body, and smooth raised portions of substantially the height of said beater bars adjacent the sides of said pulley forming carpet spacers.

7. A suction cleaner rotary agitator comrising a central wooden core, a metallic surace-contacting covering surrounding said 

